Sean Sabella
Sean Sabella
Sean Sabella was just five years old when he told his mother that he was going to be a school bus driver when he grew up. He spent his summer months at the local yard where his father repainted the faded buses ahead of the new school year, and would act out his dream behind the wheel, turning on the flashing lights, pretending to use the two-way radio, and operating the service door.
“Those were very fun moments in my life,” Sean says. “I always had a passion for school buses and was the student who helped the sub drivers with the routes.”
Sean’s first full-time job was as a bus washer with Ridge Road Express, a locally-operated bus company in Western New York. Armed with enthusiasm and a learner’s permit, he was taught how to drive a school bus in the safety of the Ridge Road bus yard and became the first person in the State of New York to go from a permit to a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Proud to be part of something that he truly believed made a positive difference, Sean often worked from 7:00AM well into the evening hours, while also attending classes for his Bachelors in Communications & Mass Communications – a demanding yet rewarding schedule.
“Never forget where you came from. I was the kid who washed bugs off windshields. Someone listened and gave me a chance.”
A curious problem solver by nature, Sean moved into the Parts & Service Department when an opportunity arose to assist with computer data entry related to the maintenance software and parts inventories for Ridge Road’s five area facilities. It was not long before Sean was promoted to the position of department manager, a role he would hold for a number of years, introducing an efficient, new Windows-based computer system and overseeing all the purchasing of equipment needed to keep the fleet safe and DOT compliant (while still finding time to pick-up afternoon routes as a substitute driver).
In 2011, Ridge Road Express was acquired by Student Transportation of America. “I remember several folks from the corporate office coming into town and introducing themselves, making us feel right at home,” Sean says. “Gene Kowalczewski was an instrumental part of the acquisition and we felt very welcomed by the company.”
Gene continued to be a mentor to Sean, along with Sam Wells, who created opportunities for Sean to work directly in the field with STA’s frontline employees. As the head of Maintenance Training & Installation, Sean traveled extensively through 2013 and 2014, implementing STA’s new maintenance tracking system and training technicians across North America. This hands-on approach is one of the things Sean loves most about his job. “People have all kinds of ideas and thoughts,” he says. “They simply want to be more than an employee number. Listen to what is happening around you and respond accordingly.”
In 2016 Sean was invited to join the inaugural ROAM Team, a group of Regional Operations Applications Managers established to implement and support new and ongoing systems for STA’s operational leaders. During this time, Sean and the ROAMs helped roll out many of the systems we use today, including digital time & attendance trackers and integrated operations reports, to enhanced routing software, improved camera systems, and much, much more.
“STA has provided an ever-growing, career-rewarding platform for me to hone my passion for student transportation.”
The ability for STA’s leadership to trust the team members they have in place has been paramount to Sean’s growth. “Gregg Stinson has always supported my career path,” Sean beams. “Tom Yessman and Mike Marra have also been huge steppingstones in my school transportation career. They have put full faith in my beliefs and teachings, and for that I’m very grateful.”
Sean was promoted to his current position, Director of Terminal Support & Services, at the onset of the 2020 pandemic. As he continues working closely with the ROAM Team, Sean tackles each day with the mission of being the greatest advocate for STA’s terminal level operators. An important part of this approach stems from sharing his own successes and failures so that others can learn from his experiences and help make a better future, together. “We have so much passion and potential for our industry, right here in our own backyard,” he says. “I think it helps us become better leaders when we’ve lived that life.”
For anyone considering a career change or looking at new opportunities with the STA Family of Companies, Sean confidently states that STA is a company that employees can be proud of. “You’ll always see me wearing my STA shirts in the field,” he smiles. “I wear that emblem proudly. If you’re looking for something with potential and growth, STA is the place. We are the best at what we do, because of the people that make up our organization.”